Raiders QB Carr on Kolton Miller: 'He's the perfect rookie'

The Raiders left tackle job is Kolton Miller’s for now, even as offensive tackle Donald Penn returned from injury Tuesday. Quarterback Derek Carr says Miller has the right temperament to thrive.

“Kolton, he’s the perfect rookie,” Carr said during media availability Tuesday. “He came in and didn’t say a word. He just [said] ‘You know, I’m just going to show ya I’m a darn good football player,’ and that’s what he’s done.”

Carr’s comments were in response to a question about what Penn, 35, had said earlier about Miller.

Penn said he’s happy to move to right tackle if it helps the team, and he’s working with Miller and third-round pick OT Brandon Parker to make sure Oakland is secure on the outside for years to come. But if the tackle position is set, Penn hasn’t been told.

“I don’t know if it’s going to be permanent or not, but … we’ve got a good thing going here. I’m not playing too much longer, I just want to win,” said Penn, a Pro Bowl player at left tackle the last two seasons.

Penn’s ‘quiet’ understudy does actually speak, however, and during practice, Miller doesn’t get discouraged if he learns the hard way.

“He’ll ask questions for sure in the meetings,” Carr said Tuesday. “If he messed up [in practice], he got mad, came back to the huddle [and said] ‘Do it again,’ you know, make sure we get it right.”

But what about Miller’s holding penalty that negated a 60-yard touchdown run by Marshawn Lynch Week 1 of the preseason? Did Miller get mad then?

“You know what,” Carr said with a slight smirk. “He still didn’t show much emotion.”

Miller seems to be a cool customer, and he’s absorbing all the information he can from his coaches and veteran teammates. Coach Jon Gruden’s offense is notoriously difficult to master, so if he’s to protect Carr’s blind side this season, he’s right to listen more than he talks. As long as he masters his assignment, he can talk as much, or as little, as he likes.